UK’s CMA open to “new merger investigation” with Microsoft, Activision Blizzard

The plot thickens.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has indicated it is open to a “new merger investigation” following Microsoft’s win in court against the US’ Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Following Microsoft’s winning result against the FTC in its $69 billion USD planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company said it would pause efforts of an appeal against the CMA to negotiate following its decision to block the merger due to concerns over cloud gaming.

Speaking with Eurogamer, the CMA said “whilst merging parties don’t have the opportunity to put forward new remedies once a final report has been issued, they can choose to restructure a deal,” which could result into a “new merger investigation” taking place.

“Microsoft and Activision have indicated that they are considering how the transaction might be modified, and the CMA is prepared to engage with them on this basis,” the CMA’s statement continued. “These discussions remain at an early stage and the nature and timing of next steps will be determined in due course. While both parties have requested a pause in Microsoft’s appeal to allow these discussions to take place, the CMA decision set out in its final report still stands.”

It’s not smooth sailing for Microsoft in the US as yet; the FTC has today lodged an appeal against yesterday’s court ruling.